Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet by Ashleigh Barton and Peter
Cheong (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9780734422903
Reviewed by Kellie Nissen
We’ve all met someone who knows everything about their passion topic –
maybe that person is even you! But, you may not have met a child quite like
Freddie Spector, Fact Collector.
Freddie loves facts; he loves collecting them, he loves leaving them on
sticky notes all around his house, and he loves sharing his knowledge with
everyone around him. Not everyone is as enthusiastic about Freddie’s facts as
he is – except Mr Lahoud who runs the newsagency and keeps Freddie supplied
with sticky notepads – but nobody really seems to mind too much.
When Freddie finds out that his school, Becker Heights, is going to be
treated to a virtual visit with Astronaut Lilly Jun from the International
Space Station, he naturally becomes obsessed by everything space-related. His
fact-finding ramps up a notch when Freddie becomes one of only five students
chosen to ask Astronaut Lilly a question.
Then, the unbelievable happens.
Hearing a huge bang from his neighbours’ house, Freddie investigates and
discovers a huge hole in their backyard. If that isn’t weird enough, strange
things start happening in the following days and Freddie, along with his sister
Henrietta, are convinced it can only be one thing – and I’m sure you can guess
what that might be – and they secretly, and a little nervously, set about
finding out as much as they can.
Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space
Cadet is action-packed and space-fact-filled
right from the first page. Author Ashleigh Barton has really captured the
thirst for knowledge and the powerful imagination of children, and has crafted
relatable and likeable characters – from Freddie and his sister, through to
Aunty Lou and Mr Lahoud. Peter Cheong’s simple but expressive illustrations
complete the story.
If I was still teaching, I would have loved to use Space Cadet to
introduce and supplement a unit of work in the Earth Sciences. Space is a
subject that fascinates a wide audience of children (and adults) and Ashleigh
Barton has approached the topic in a fun way that is suitable both for space
novices and the more ‘informed’ reader. With its imaginative appeal and upbeat
pace, the story will also engage readers who may not otherwise be interested in
the subject matter.
Perfect for independent readers aged 7–10 years and beyond, Freddie
Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet will also make a fun read-aloud that
can be enjoyed by parents and their younger children, or teachers with their
class, and spark many discussions and new fact-finding missions.
